The Long Lost Engagment

On December 28th 2011 I got engaged to Mark Manning. You might be asking yourself that was a couple weeks ago why is she just blogging about it now? Well. . . that is a very good question! Lets sum it up to me finding the task daunting(I want to express everything just right!), and like all good procrastinators I'm putting it off till an almost unacceptable time. So lets just pat my back for putting this up and forget its a tad bit on the late side.

Lucky readers you get the long version of the engagement story. Context: Mark had asked me if we could save a day to go to Seattle, preferably Dec 28th because it is our anniversary. I was like of course! a day in Seattle with the man of my dreams, ya i think i could swing it. Fast forward a couple days and we picked up jenny(my lovely sister) from the airport and she mentions that she had been talking to mark and thought we could all go to Seattle together. Light bulb! Mark is going to propose in Seattle with the whole family there. I figured it out. To say I was proud of myself is an understatement. Alright press that fast forward button again and Mark is in town (Gig Harbor, WA) and he is saying he wants to go to the aquarium in Seattle. Jenny agrees. Second Light Bulb! he is going to propose in the aquarium. I KNEW IT. We had almost never talked about going to the aquarium and now all of a sudden that is all we talk about! I'm a smarty I know whats up. 

So I told everyone and their mom that I was going to be proposed to on Dec 28th in Seattle at the aquarium. I'll give you a a spoiler alert. It didn't happen quite as I thought. I know surprise, surprise. We did go to Seattle on the 28th. We took the ferry over with my family and played some games and took some pictures to pass the time (see pictures above). And then we go to the aquarium. Mark forbid me from touching his pockets and kept on going over to my sister and whispering to her. I was more than a little anxious. Around every corner I imagined Mark popping down on one knee.

(that's the giant octopus)

Other than seeing the most adorable river otters (future pet) my life didn't change dramatically. I was a little bummed because my plans were smashed to smithereens. We meandered on over to Pikes Place to get some good eats. It was pouring! my favorite kind of weather. 

Nice little picture of a horse cop. We unanimously decided that horse cops must be what all cops strive for. poor walking cops and bike cops. 

The Seattle Space Needle was were Mark and I split form the fam. They caught the ferry home and we went hunting for a restaurant we had eaten at right after I came back from Jerusalem. I asked mark if he knew where it was and if it was part of the engagement plan. He gave the oh so descriptive answer of "I don't know, is it?". Then he would look at me with his baby blues and give me that "I know I am driving you crazy" smile. but we found it (fun fact: he had no idea where he was going). 

There was a little incident where Mark leaned over during dinner (more of a swoop down and back up) I might have thought he was kneeling and proposing. I got all sorts of butterflies. But alas it was just a kiss across the table and nothing more.

At the end of the night we strolled back to the docks to catch a ferry home. I was resigned to the fact that no engagement would come and i was pepping myself up on the inside. The ride was filled with walking around the deck and nearly getting blown off, cuddling up and looking out into the distance, planning our future and talking about everything under the sun. 

When we got home the lights in the house were off and our cars were parked outside the garage so we had to go through the front door. And when I walked inside this is what I found.

The lights were off and tea candles and rose petals were strewn on the ground. Cue tears. Mark lead me into the living room and let me soak it in for a minute or so. I could feel his heart beating so fast which made me a little nervous and it hit me that I was actually getting engaged. And then he proposed. It was beautiful and sounded like he had practiced it but when you speak from the heart it always sounds perfect. I love Mark Manning and I had many thoughts rushing through my head at that moment (to say I remember everything he said is a lie, I got a little distracted when he got down on one knee and pulled the ring out).  It was perfect though. Simple and personal and the best part was that my family got to be involved (they set it up when we were still in Seattle). 

So I said yes. After almost two years of dating behind us and a lifetime ahead of us accepted Mark's question to become the future Mrs. Manning. After I stuttered out my answer my family came down and we all soaked in the moment with some sparkling cider. 

It is white gold, with black diamonds and white diamonds surrounding them.

So here's to you Mark Manning. To a lifetime of keeping me on my toes.